The Godfather is going to begin this week’s edition of IDP Studs and Duds by conveying some deep and profound wisdom. Imparting a technical term used only at the highest levels of fantasy football analysis-dom.

The nitty-gritty.

What? You believed all that drek? Have you literally ever read anything I’ve written?

We are knee-deep in the nitty-gritty now, though. With the IDP playoffs looming ever closer and so many fantasy managers hovering around .500, said managers need that which is “essential and basic.” “Specific practical details.”

(That’s what nitty-gritty means, according to smart people.)

Points equal wins. Wins equal playoffs. So IDP managers need points.

You can’t argue with math. And the goal of IDP Studs and Duds here at Footballguys is to offer advice on which players will (or won’t) score points.

Nitty. Freaking. Gritty.

Each week during the 2024 season, I’ll point out some Individual Defensive Players who could be set to exceed expectations this week (Studs), as well as some that, for whatever reason, are riskier plays than normal (Duds).

This isn’t necessarily to say that every “Stud” is a must-start (it depends on your other options) or that every “Dud” should be glued to your bench (just that the odds of a letdown week are greater than usual).

Four teams are on a Week 11 bye—the Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At least Bobby Okereke can’t let IDP managers down this week.

Numbers in parentheses denote ranking in fantasy points allowed to that position in 2024 in The Godfather’s Default IDP Scoring. 

IDP STUD OF THE WEEK: DL Carl Granderson, New Orleans (vs. CLE) (1)

Like so many things in New Orleans this season, Granderson’s 2024 hasn’t gone according to plan—after being pegged as the Saints’ top edge rusher entering 2024, Granderson has just 3.5 sacks this season and is coming off a doughnut against the Atlanta Falcons last week. His preseason proclamations about a breakout 2024 have most assuredly not come to pass.

"It's always good to start off strong, but looking back at last year, it got rocky in the middle," he once said unironically. "For me, it's maintaining and being consistent, and the numbers will come. The middle of the season for me was kind of like you hit a wall, and then you turn it up when it's too late. So, moving forward to this season, I expect my production to start off hot and in the middle keep it going, and then toward the end crank it up even more."

Has Granderson flopped this season? Sort of—he’s DL26 through 10 weeks. But this week brings the kind of matchup that shoots a lineman 8-10 spots up the list. The Cleveland Browns have allowed a whopping 43 sacks in 2024—easily the most in the NFL. They are everyone’s “get right” opponent.

IDP DUD OF THE WEEK: LB Jamien Sherwood, NY Jets (vs. ATL) (30)

It has been quite the season of surprises in New York this season, but Jamien Sherwood has actually been a good one—not only has he filled in admirably for high-priced veteran C.J. Mosley, but he has outplayed him. Sherwood racked up a whopping 17 total stops a week ago, but he told reporters that he’s a lot more concerned about the team getting blown out than on piling up stops.

"That's something (tackling) we harp on every day," Sherwood said. "I missed a few. I feel my communication was good, but obviously wasn't good enough. Obviously super-upset with myself, figuring out ways where I can be better for my teammates, for my whole team."

Sherwood has admittedly been fantastic statistically—he’s had 11 or more tackles five times this season. But the Indianapolis Colts have switched quarterbacks and then switched back this year—and stayed a lousy matchup for linebackers the entire time. Sherwood comes closer to his season low in tackles this week than his season high.